Third Annual Cleveland Internship Summit explores best practices in recruitment and talent development

CLEVELAND, Dec. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Recruiting and retaining a talented workforce continues to be an area of challenge for Northeast Ohio employers. Businesses are seeking skilled workers who are reliable, have on the job experience and are committed to growing within the company. At the same time, students attending colleges and universities across the region are learning that in today's competitive market, real-world experience is more important than ever to landing and keeping jobs.

Through our public and private partnerships, the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) has launched a series of programs and events to connect these businesses with the tools they need to create impactful internship opportunities for students in our region. As the flagship event within our workforce and education portfolio, the GCP will be hosting the third annual Cleveland Internship Summit in collaboration with our presenting sponsor, Cleveland State University, on February 27, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.at Cuyahoga Community College - Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights, OH. The event is also in cooperation with our generous supporting sponsors Cuyahoga Community College and Union Home Mortgage.

Swagelok's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arthur F. Anton, will be joining us as the keynote speaker at the Summit. Swagelok has made developing its next generation of workers a top priority. They are dedicated to career development and effectively offer internships, co-ops and academic affiliate programs to their employees. Anton will share insights on how organizations can implement a successful career development and experiential learning program.

The Summit offers sessions tailored to both educators and businesses as well as general sessions where the two groups will learn together. Conversations include:

Generational Diversity in the Workplace

Workforce Preparedness: How Employers are Getting Interns and New Grads More Career Ready

International Student Interns: Steps and Requirements to Hiring, and Why International Talent is Beneficial to Employers and the Community

Interns in the Workplace: Common Legal Issues and Questions

The Summit will bring together business community representatives and educators to discuss how to increase and improve internship opportunities in Northeast Ohio. Summit attendees will learn internship program best practices and discuss the value of internships for employers, students and educators.

"Having a skilled and prepared workforce is essential to an organization's success," said Joe Roman, President and CEO of the GCP. "The businesses we support continue to stress the need to build a strong talent pipeline for our region. Providing real-world experience through experiential learning opportunities, like internships, enhances the continued success of our companies. The Summit is part of a broader workforce development initiative to address growing the region's talent pipeline as part of our strategic plan."

Cleveland State University (CSU) President Ronald Berkman supports efforts to help students in our region advance their careers by obtaining internships.

"CSU provides comprehensive engaged learning opportunities for our students to ensure they receive the education and training, in the classroom, the laboratory and in the community, that will help them succeed in their chosen profession," Berkman said. "An internship is an excellent tool in accomplishing this goal, giving students an opportunity to test his or her knowledge in the workplace while gaining real-world experience."

The Cleveland Internship Summit will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cuyahoga Community College - Corporate College East.

The cost is $59 for GCP members; $109 for nonmembers.

Speakers from several local and national companies and other organizations will be participating including: Gallup, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Westfield Group, Cleveland State University, Jumpstart, Global Cleveland, and Walter Haverfield, LLP.